Monday 2004-03-22 Today's travel
Today we travelled 481 miles from Tucson to Bluff, Utah. The highlight was Monument Valley on the Arizona/Utah border.
Today we travelled 481 miles from Tucson to Bluff, Utah. The highlight was Monument Valley on the Arizona/Utah border.
Monday 2004-03-22 Monument Valley
We're on US 163 travelling from Kayenta to Mexican Hat through Monument Valley. We've been through Phoenix and Flagstaff.
We're on US 163 travelling from Kayenta to Mexican Hat through Monument Valley. We've been through Phoenix and Flagstaff.
Monday 2004-03-22 Monument Valley
Monument Valley straddles the Utah/Arizona border but the majority of the buttes are in Arizona. They vary in height from 700-1000 feet above the valley floor.
Monument Valley straddles the Utah/Arizona border but the majority of the buttes are in Arizona. They vary in height from 700-1000 feet above the valley floor.
Monday 2004-03-22 Monument Valley
We're heading for the Park Visitor Centre that starts in Utah and crosses back into Arizona.
We're heading for the Park Visitor Centre that starts in Utah and crosses back into Arizona.
Monday 2004-03-22 Monument Valley
Monument Valley lies wholly within the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation is a semi-autonomous Native American homeland covering about 67,000 square kilometres that occupies all of NE Arizona, the SE portion of Utah, and NW New Mexico.
Monument Valley lies wholly within the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation is a semi-autonomous Native American homeland covering about 67,000 square kilometres that occupies all of NE Arizona, the SE portion of Utah, and NW New Mexico.
Monday 2004-03-22 Monument Valley
The floor is largely Cutler Red siltstone or its sand deposited by the rivers that carved the valley. The valley's vivid red colour comes from iron oxide exposed in the weathered siltstone. The darker, blue-gray rocks in the valley get their colour from manganese oxide.
The floor is largely Cutler Red siltstone or its sand deposited by the rivers that carved the valley. The valley's vivid red colour comes from iron oxide exposed in the weathered siltstone. The darker, blue-gray rocks in the valley get their colour from manganese oxide.
Monday 2004-03-22 Monument Valley
We travel to the Visitor Centre which is run by the Navajo Nation. We look south for the most famous views. This is Merrick Butte and the three major geological layers can be seen.
We travel to the Visitor Centre which is run by the Navajo Nation. We look south for the most famous views. This is Merrick Butte and the three major geological layers can be seen.
Monday 2004-03-22 Monument Valley
The Right Mitten.
The Right Mitten.
Monday 2004-03-22 Monument Valley
The Sentinel Mesa to the left of the Mittens.
The Sentinel Mesa to the left of the Mittens.
Monday 2004-03-22 Monument Valley
The Left Mitten. The buttes are clearly stratified with three principal layers: the lowest layer is Organ Rock shale, the middle de Chelly sandstone and the top layer is Moenkopi shale capped by Shinarump siltstone.
The Left Mitten. The buttes are clearly stratified with three principal layers: the lowest layer is Organ Rock shale, the middle de Chelly sandstone and the top layer is Moenkopi shale capped by Shinarump siltstone.
Monday 2004-03-22 Monument Valley
Monday 2004-03-22 Monument Valley
A we-wuz-there photo. As with our other visits here, the weather was perfect.
A we-wuz-there photo. As with our other visits here, the weather was perfect.
Monday 2004-03-22 Monument Valley
Some of the more famous structures such as the Totem Pole and the Yei Be Chei can only be seen by driving the 27 km dirt road (a 2-3 hour trip).
Some of the more famous structures such as the Totem Pole and the Yei Be Chei can only be seen by driving the 27 km dirt road (a 2-3 hour trip).
Monday 2004-03-22 Monument Valley
Jenni took this great photo looking across the visitor centre to Elephant Butte and Spearhead Mesa in the background behind Merrick Butte. I'm standing on the hill at the visitor centre taking happy snaps.
Jenni took this great photo looking across the visitor centre to Elephant Butte and Spearhead Mesa in the background behind Merrick Butte. I'm standing on the hill at the visitor centre taking happy snaps.
Monday 2004-03-22 Monument Valley
The trip can be done in a car if the weather is fine but a 4WD is more suited to the terrain.
The trip can be done in a car if the weather is fine but a 4WD is more suited to the terrain.
Monday 2004-03-22 Monument Valley
Monument Valley panorama from the Visitor Centre showing the "Mittens" and the road that makes the loop-tour through the park.
Monument Valley panorama from the Visitor Centre showing the "Mittens" and the road that makes the loop-tour through the park.
Monday 2004-03-22 Monument Valley
Its getting late in the day and shadows are starting to form.
Its getting late in the day and shadows are starting to form.
Monday 2004-03-22 Monument Valley
Looking back at Monument Valley as we drive farther north. US 163 can just be seen in the centre-right of the picture.
Looking back at Monument Valley as we drive farther north. US 163 can just be seen in the centre-right of the picture.
Monday 2004-03-22 Monument Valley
The valley begins/ends at the town of Mexican Hat, named after this wondrous balancing rock.
The valley begins/ends at the town of Mexican Hat, named after this wondrous balancing rock.
Monday 2004-03-22 Bluff Utah
We stop overnight in this rinky-dink motel in Bluff, Utah - accommodation is at a premium in the Monument Valley area. This is the same motel at which we stayed with Bonnie and Dennis during our 1996 trip.
We stop overnight in this rinky-dink motel in Bluff, Utah - accommodation is at a premium in the Monument Valley area. This is the same motel at which we stayed with Bonnie and Dennis during our 1996 trip.
North to Washington